Legends of Sports

David Hussey ensured India found itself in yet another strange controversy, as Cricket Australia last night avoided the view of having to stage an embarrassing finals series minus the home team. Capably led in the field by Shane Watson in his debut game as captain after three months on the sidelines, Australia's resounding 87-run bonus-point victory booked the hosts a berth in the finals and left the Indians with a nasty taste in their mouths approaching the end of a frightening tour.

M. S. Dhoni's men will tomorrow night pack their bags for home if they cannot collect a bonus point against Sri Lanka in Hobart, which could also double up as Sachin Tendulkar's last chance to post his 100th international century, in Australia. Tendulkar was run out for five after being unintentionally vulnerable by Brett Lee chasing a single. He lost momentum as he tried to avoid Lee, who did not appear to be aware of the batsman's presence, and was caught short by a direct hit from David Warner.

''It was a bit unjustified for Sachin because he had to take the extra yards,'' Dhoni said. Umpires had earlier enraged the Indian team by not giving Hussey out for handling the ball after he used a glove to knock away a throw from Suresh Raina while pursuing a single.